Sofia Vaquera, the class of 2024 valedictorian, plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin to major in statistics and data sciences so she can study weather and climate change to improve outcomes for extreme weather events.
While here, Vaquera has been involved in varsity orchestra, UIL region orchestra, and National Honor Society.
Vaquera said that her biggest obstacle in high school has been balancing school work and free time.
She said her most helpful resource has been her parents, who she said are very supportive and push her to give her best effort.
Vaquera said she would tell her freshman self to “take time to enjoy the little things, like time with friends. High school goes by so fast; you reach the end before you know it.”
Ismael Duran, the salutatorian for the class of 2024, will attend the University of Texas at Austin and major in biology on a pre-medicine track under the Health Science Scholars Honors Program in the College of Natural Sciences.
He said he hopes to go on to medical school after completing his undergraduate degree to become a physician.
During his high school career, Duran has been a part of the school newspaper “The Talon,” National Honor Society, UIL ready writing and journalism, Spanish Honor Society and has been working at H-E-B as a curbie.
His biggest resource has been learning how to organize himself to get it all done, for which he said the Notion app has been helpful.
He said his biggest obstacle is an annual trip his family makes in the spring to La Jabonera, Mexico to visit extended family. He said he loves it, but he always gets behind at school. The hard work necessary to catch up has also taught him a lot, he said.
Jada Marquez plans to attend Texas State University to get her undergraduate degree in biology on a pre-pharmacy track to eventually become a pharmacist.
Marquez has been involved in National Honor Society and volunteered continuously at Haven for Hope homeless assistance facility.
Marquez said her hardest obstacle – juggling multiple OnRamps, AP, and Honors courses – has also taught her the best lesson: managing stress.
If she could, Marquez said she would tell her younger self to “take it easy and give herself grace because as long as you give it your all, you can succeed in anything you do.”
Jazlyn Cervantes, an orchestra council vice president, will attend the University of the Incarnate Word to major in nursing and eventually obtain a master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner.
Cervantes has been involved in all-region orchestra, academic decathlon, UIL ready writing, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and her church’s altar server ministry.
Cervantes said that her supportive parents have been her best resource and have “played a huge part in [her] success.” She also said that her biggest obstacle was balancing school with her personal life, but that she can now maintain high grades and her social life by managing her schedule.
Jaden Criollo will attend Northwest Vista College through AlamoPromise, then hopes to transfer to the University of Texas at San Antonio. She plans to major in art, audio/visual technology, and communications to eventually pursue a career as an art director.
While here, Criollo has been a part of National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, and has worked at Smoothie King. Criollo said her biggest obstacle in high school has been putting things off until the last moment. She said her most helpful resource, especially whenever she’s struggled with classroom material, has been tutoring sessions, which have helped her improve her academics.
If Criollo could, she said that she would tell her freshman self “it doesn’t get any easier, but we adapt and overcome it fairly well.”
Ronald Kuilan Candelario plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin and major in biochemistry to pursue becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
While here, he has been involved in golf and said that his most useful resource in obtaining a high rank is his mom who motivates him to be successful.
Kuilan said that his biggest obstacle during high school was his own negative self-talk and negativity whenever he made mistakes.
If he could, Kuilan said he would tell his freshman self to trust the process and be happy.
Harumi Netz, the president of the Drama Club, said she plans to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio and major in physics on her way to becoming a molecular physicist.
Besides drama club, Netz has also been involved in theater production, UIL theater, and National Honor Society.
Netz said her biggest obstacle was balancing school with her personal life, and more often she chose to study and finish her work instead of hang out with friends in order to keep up with her classes.
She said her most useful resource has been a planner. By being able to write down her entire schedule, tasks, and upcoming events, Netz was able to see all of her work that needed to be completed and stay on top of it all, which helped her social life at the same time.
Lastly, Netz said that she would tell her freshman self to “enjoy these years and all the precious memories that will be made, because you’re only in high school once.”
Camilla Chaj Ulloa is waiting to hear from several universities before deciding where she will major in neuroscience to eventually work in psychiatric research. While here, Chaj Ulloa has served as Spanish Honor Society president and participated in UIL spelling, vocabulary and computer applications, Dreamer’s Club (for college advice and serving the community), and the Research Awareness for Young Scholars (RAYS) program.
Chaj Ulloa said that her biggest help so far has been her own personal motivation as well as her older brother who she said is her role model and inspires her to do her best.
She also said that by choosing where she directs her energy, she’s been able to get past obstacles such as emotional and mental struggles.
If she could give her younger self one piece of advice, Chaj Ulloa said it would be: learn to enjoy the experience of the overall journey instead of focusing on the prize.
Imelda Monreal, the 2024 class president, will attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall and major in computer science with the hope of eventually working in cybersecurity or developing software. While here, Monreal has been a part of basketball, National Honor Society, yearbook, environmental science club, National Art Honor Society, the student advisory council, and student council.
Although she’s been in many clubs and organizations, Monreal said her biggest regret was not getting involved sooner.
She said her most valuable resource in achieving top 10 status was cultivating a support system of “people that work hard and inspire you to reach your goals.” With a support system like this, Monreal said she believes anyone can achieve anything.
Jaidyn Myers-Malone, the girls’ soccer head athletic trainer, plans to attend Louisiana State University and major in kinesiology with a long-term goal of becoming an emergency department physician assistant. Myers-Malone has also been a part of volleyball, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and has been working at Freebirds.
Myers-Malone credits her elementary school teachers with her high school success because she said they instilled determination and drive in her, which helped her adapt to the change that high school brought coming from a charter school.
Her favorite advice: “Everything happens for a reason.”
Compiled by: Ismael Duran, Riley Sablatura, Christian Vasquez, Clarissa Sanchez, and Leah-Renee Lopez
Photos courtesy of each individual
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